Folly Beach Pier
Folly Beach Pier is South Carolina's surfing epicenter—the most recognized wave in a state that flies under the East Coast radar but delivers quality surf when conditions align. The pier creates sandbars that focus whatever swell arrives, from late-summer hurricane energy to winter cold fronts pushing down from the northeast. Charleston's proximity brings a unique surf culture that blends Southern hospitality with competitive lineups when it's firing. For anyone exploring East Coast surfing beyond the Florida-to-North-Carolina corridor, Folly Beach Pier proves South Carolina deserves its spot on the map.
Folly Beach Pier surf forecast
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Spot Details
CustomizeCustomize this spotSwell Requirements
- Optimal direction
- SE (130°)
- Direction range
- 90° - 170°
- Size range
- 0.6m - 2.5m
- Ideal size
- 1.5m - 2m
- Height multiplier
- 1.00×
- Ideal period
- 12s+
Wind Requirements
- Optimal direction
- NW (315°)
- Offshore range
- 280° - 350°
Tide Requirements
- Optimal tide
- mid
- Optimal range
- 0.4m - 1.5m
Water temp
21°C
Wetsuit
Springsuit / 2mm
Difficulty
4/10
Crowd level
7/10
Access: Public beach. Parking can be limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of wave is Folly Beach Pier?
Folly Beach Pier is a beach break in Folly Beach, USA, with peaks that run both left and right.
What swell works best at Folly Beach Pier?
Folly Beach Pier picks up swell from the E round to the S, and it's best when it's coming straight out of the SE. It starts working at around 0.6m and handles up to about 2.5m, with the sweet spot around 1.5 to 2m. Period matters too: aim for 12s or longer, as anything under 8s tends to be weak. These are the numbers our scoring uses, so treat them as a guide rather than a promise.
What wind is offshore at Folly Beach Pier?
A NW wind is dead offshore at Folly Beach Pier, and anything from the W round to the N keeps it clean. The morning is typically the best window, roughly 6am to 10am. Light winds from other directions can still be fine; strong offshores can make it hard to get into waves.
What tide is best at Folly Beach Pier?
Folly Beach Pier is at its best around mid tide, roughly 0.4m to 1.5m on the local chart.
When is the best time of year to surf Folly Beach Pier?
The most reliable run of swell at Folly Beach Pier comes Sep to Mar. There's a second window in Aug too. Hurricane swells and cold fronts.
How cold is the water at Folly Beach Pier?
The water at Folly Beach Pier averages around 21°C, so you'll want a springsuit or 2mm. It shifts a few degrees through the year, so check the season before you pack.
Is Folly Beach Pier good for beginners?
It's more of an intermediate wave, rated 4/10 for difficulty, so newer surfers are best off sticking to the smaller days. It gets busy (crowd 7/10), so mind the pecking order. Popular spot. Rips near pier.
How do I get to Folly Beach Pier?
The nearest airport on our list is CHS, then it's roughly a 30-minute drive. Public beach. Parking can be limited.
What other surf spots are near Folly Beach Pier?
The closest breaks we track are The Washout (1.3 km), handy when Folly Beach Pier isn't working.
Best Season
Peak: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Secondary: Aug
Hurricane swells and cold fronts.